Image reproduction developing device with a vibrating supply hopper partition attachment

Abstract

A developing device for a reproducing machine, in which a partition is arranged between a developer supply hopper and a developer bath which has a developing sleeve and developer agitating blades therein, arranged to face an image retainer. An aperture is formed in the partition and covered with an easily deformable thin elastic plate. The developer agitating blades in the developer bath are arranged in the vicinity of the apertures so that the elastic plate is vibrated when the developer projected by the rotation of the developer agitating blades is impinged to the elastic plate, thereby preventing the bridging of toner in the supply hopper.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A developing device for a reproducing machine or the like, in which a developer supply hopper is incorporated into a developer bath arranged to face an image retainer, characterized in that apertures are formed in a partition provided between the developer bath, which has a developing sleeve and developer agitating blades therein, and said developer supply hopper; in that said apertures are covered with easily deformable thin elastic plates; and in that said developer agitating blades in said developer bath are arranged in the vicinity of said apertures. 
     
     
       2. A developing device for a reproducing machine or the like comprising a developer bath having there in a rotatable developing sleeve and a developer agitating member, a developer supply hopper for receiving developer for replenishment, a partition provided between the developer bath and the developer supply hopper having at least one aperture covered with a vibratable elastic plate, and a feed roller for supplying the developer for replenishment in said developer supply hopper to said developer bath, positioned below said developer supply hopper, wherein said developer agitating member is arranged in the vicinity of said partition with a clearance and said elastic plate is vibrated when the developer projected by the rotation of said developer agitating member is impinged to said aperture. 
     
     
       3. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein said elastic plate is a thin resin plate. 
     
     
       4. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein said elastic plate is a thin rubber film. 
     
     
       5. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein said developer agitating member has a plurality of blades. 
     
     
       6. The developing device according to claim 2, wherein said elastic plate is transparent. 
     
     
       7. The developing device according to claim 3, wherein said resin plate is a polyethylene terephthalate sheet. 
     
     
       8. The developing device according to claim 5, wherein said plural blades are arranged symmetrically in figure with respect to a plane near the axial center of a rotary shaft of said developer agitating member.